TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Association of Education and Teachers (P2G) cast doubts on the claims made by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) stating that it is reviewing and making efforts to streamline the free nutritious meal (MBG). The doubt arises after BGN proposed a budget ceiling of Rp270 trillion for 2027, despite earlier talks of cost-saving and restructuring plans for the program.
P2G's head of Advocacy, Iman Zanatul Haeri, believes that the hefty budget proposed signals BGN's superficial commitment to evaluate President Prabowo Subianto's flagship program. "We have a reason to doubt that BGN is evaluating [the program]," said Iman when confirmed on Sunday, June 21, 2026.
According to Iman, the budget proposal contradicts the constitutional review lawsuit filed by P2G to the Constitutional Court (MK) regarding the use of education funds to finance MBG. He believes that the government has not responded to educators' and activists' criticisms. "This shows that BGN did not consider, did not listen, and did not have the capability for evaluation," he said.
In a meeting with the DPR's Commission IX a while back, BGN proposed a budget ceiling of Rp270 trillion for 2027 with the education function portion reaching around Rp224 trillion, higher than the previous year's allocation.
For the group, this indicates that the government prioritizes the free nutritious meal program over improving the quality of education. Iman maintained that the success of the MBG program must be followed by strengthening the quality of learning in schools.
"If the budget for quality education is cut, then the goals of the MBG will not be achieved," he said. "We have reason to consider that MBG is an enemy of education."
Iman sees a contradiction between the statements made by the Head of BGN, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, who promised to achieve efficiency, and the budget proposal, which remains high.
Citing previous measures mentioned by BGN—refocusing the programs for frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped regions as well as halting free meal distribution for certain groups—Iman said the proposed funding failed to reflect these promises.
Therefore, P2G deems their lawsuit at the Constitutional Court increasingly relevant, even stating a misconception in the government on the difference between the educational function and the nutrition fulfillment program. "This proves that the government does not understand what the educational function nor what educational quality is," he said.
P2G also requests Commission IX of the House of Representatives to explain its position after approving the budget discussion. According to Iman, the public needs to know the DPR's stance on the controversy of using education funds to finance MBG.
Read: Fact Check: Did Prabowo Abolish the Free Nutritious Meal Program in June 2026?
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